MEPs question Commission on pre-slaughter stunning of fish

Brussels, December 6, 2022 - Francisco Guerreiro MEP, along with other colleagues, questioned the European Commission on stunning before slaughtering fish.


Read the question:


Subject: Fish slaughter - stunning before slaughter


The Commission's initial impact assessment on the ongoing review of EU animal welfare legislation suggests the introduction of species-specific provisions for farmed fish at the time of slaughter.
Recent investigations into European aquaculture[1][2] reveal the use of slaughter methods that have long been considered unacceptable for fish welfare by the European Food Safety Authority[3] and the World Organization for Animal Health[4]. Research also reveals the suffering associated with time out of water and handling practices related to slaughter.


In addition to introducing requirements for the effective stunning of fish where species-specific parameters are known, the Commission intends to propose that:


1. Good handling practices at slaughter be required for all finfish species in aquaculture?

2. The worst slaughter techniques (e.g. asphyxiation in air or ice, salt baths and water saturated with gas) be banned for all finfish species in aquaculture?

[1] https://www.eldiario.es/castilla-la-mancha/provincias/albacete/sacrificio-hielo-agonia-hora-media-desove-forzoso-sufrimiento-innecesario-piscifactorias_1_9148997.html
[2] https://www.essereanimali.org/en/fishtoo/
[3] EFSA, 2009, Species-specific welfare aspects of the main systems of stunning and killing of farmed Seabass and Seabream.
[4] OMSA, 2022, Aquatic Animal Health Code.


Read the Commission's response below:

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